Proverbs 18:3

The Bible says in Proverbs 18:3, “When the wicked cometh, then cometh also contempt, and with ignominy reproach.” The law of recompense is there for everyone, especially the wicked. If you do not repent and if you continue in your wicked ways, you will reap what you sow. The word that is translated “ignominy” means shame. Contempt, shame, and reproach is what the wicked will get in this life. In the next life they will get everlasting fire.

The Bible says in Proverbs 18:4, “The words of a man's mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook.” Deep waters and a flowing brook symbolize life, health, and cleansing. Use the right words and you will be helping people with their lives. Words can build up a person from someone who is weak to someone who is strong, words can encourage and spur to action, and words can comfort a hurting heart. There is a great value to having the right words.

The Bible says in Proverbs 18:5, “It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment.” One would think that such a statement would not be necessary, but people accept the wicked often when they honor some of these wicked politicians, or when they vote for someone that should not be voted for just because of their ties to a particular political party. Who would “overthrow the righteous in judgment?” An unjust judge would, anyone who judges a righteous person and analyzes them unfairly. It happens a lot.

The Bible says in Proverbs 18:6, “A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes.” This verse indicates that contention and quarreling can be avoided. If you have wisdom, you will know the words to say for a situation. If you are a fool, you will say the wrong words and contention will start or will increase. Learn from Jesus. He will teach you. He is the Prince of Peace. If you learn, you will be a peace-maker.

The Bible says in Proverbs 18:7, “A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.” Not only will the words of a fool cause him trouble, but his words will cause his destruction. God hears every word that we say. Nothing is forgotten. It is with our mouth that we confess the Lord Jesus, or it is with our mouth that we deny Jesus. Because the judgment is coming, foolish is the person who does not confess the Lord Jesus. His soul will be snared and he will head to destruction.

The Bible says in Proverbs 18:8, “The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.” This is another verse about how damaging words can be. There may not be any words that are more hurtful than gossip. They burn, they sting, they humiliate, they insult: all at the same time. Because there are a lot of wicked people in the world, how can you protect yourself from the wounds that gossip could cause you? Just make sure that you know who you are. Make sure that you have no illusions and that you know what people can be like. Be ready. Be strong. Tell the truth. The truth will always be more powerful than lies.

The Bible says in Proverbs 18:9, “He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster.” One of the purposes of life is to work. When God put Adam and Eve out of the Garden of Eden, God said in effect, “By the sweat of your face, you must work.” Even Jesus said, “I must work the works of Him that sent me while it is day. The night cometh when no man can work.” We are made in the image of God, and “In the beginning God created.” God wants us to create: to make, and to accomplish. A lazy person is going against the very will of God for every person. There are people who destroy what is already made, such as protesters and anarchists, and we recognize the great evil that they do when they tear down other people’s accomplishments. But a lazy person is destroying in a different way: by keeping their own accomplishments from coming to pass.

The Bible says in Proverbs 18:10, “The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.” This is a dangerous world. A lot of things can happen to anyone, including death. Wait a minute, death will happen to everyone eventually. Unless you are a Christian, and you happen to be alive when the rapture takes place. How can you ever be protected from all of the dangers of life? How about trying this: run to the name of the Lord. That means you are trusting in the Lord. That means that you respect the Lord and all that He stands for. I wonder if the Almighty all-powerful God is able to protect you. There is no doubt about that. God is not only able, but He will protect you as long as He has a use for you. And when He no longer has a use for you, then because of Jesus, you will go to be with Him forever.

The next verse tells us why most rich people do not get saved or turn to Christ. The Bible says in Proverbs 18:11, “The rich man's wealth is his strong city, and as an high wall in his own conceit.” Rich people rely upon their wealth. If they have a legal problem, they hire the best lawyer. If they have a medical problem, they hire the best doctor. If they want to go on a vacation, they travel to the most beautiful spots in the world and stay in the most luxuriant hotels. They see no need of turning to the Lord. Because of their conceit, they do not see their sins and the need for a Savior. Jesus said about rich people, “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.”

The Bible says in Proverbs 18:12, “Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility.” Many people have been destroyed by pride. The most common way that happens is when people reject Christ, thinking they have no need of Him. Now that is prideful thinking. Here they are sinners; here they are mortal and going to die. And they think they can go out into eternity without a Savior. But someone who humbles himself will be honored, especially if they humble themselves by bowing before the Lord Jesus and praying, “Lord, be merciful to me, a sinner.”

The Bible says in Proverbs 18:13, “He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.” This is another verse about the importance of holding your tongue. Do not be quick to speak. Here is one of the reasons why. You will want to give a proper answer to a situation. You can only do that if you are a good listener, and listen to the whole matter before speaking.

The Bible says in Proverbs 18:14, “The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?” The real needs of human beings are spiritual needs. If you have the right spirit in you, you will be able to face anything. Having the right spirit starts with being born again through faith in Christ. When you accept Christ, you not only receive Jesus, but you also receive the Holy Spirit. Then you can grow in Christ and learn to face the challenges of life by faith. Your spirit can be full of faith and love. Your spirit can be joyful and positive. With such a spirit you will be able to overcome adversities that come your way. You will be able to overcome your own infirmities. In other words with the right spirit you will more than make up for your failures. On the other hand if your spirit is wounded, then you have already lost. You have lost the battle before you even start. You will not be able to influence others because they will not like even being around you, if you have a wounded spirit. You must fight against such a spirit and accept victory through faith in the Lord Jesus.

The Bible says in Proverbs 18:15, “The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.” True knowledge is in the heart, not just the mind. That is especially true concerning the Bible. If you study the Bible with your mind only, it will only be an intellectual pursuit for you. But the Bible is intended to go from the mind to the heart, and then to the hands and to the feet. But before something gets to your heart, it must enter in through the ears. It says, “the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.” You must seek to know the truth from God, and then it shall be told to you. Jesus said, “Seek and ye shall find, ask and it shall be given you, knock and it shall be opened unto you.”

The Bible says in Proverbs 18:16, “A man’s gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.” Let’s look at this verse from a spiritual standpoint. Once you believe in Christ, the Holy Spirit gives you one or more spiritual gifts. Grow in Christ and develop your gifts and you never know how God will use you. That path might make you unknown to the world, and that path might bring you before great men. It simply depends upon the will of God for you. You do not want to be around the powerful people of the world unless you get there by serving Jesus with your gifts. The way to serve God in this world is this: find out what your gifts are and look for opportunities to use those gifts.

The Bible says in Proverbs 18:17, “He that is first in his own cause seemeth just: but his neighbor cometh and searcheth him.” This verse is an emphasis on how other people evaluate us. A Christian wants to be a testimony for the Lord Jesus Christ. That will not happen if we are always putting ourselves first and people are viewing us as selfish. There are many selfish people in the world, and if people view us as one of the many selfish ones, we will not be able to help lead them to Christ.

The Bible says in Proverbs 18:18, “The lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth between the mighty.” In this particular situation the casting of a lot would be similar to flipping a coin. You know, “Heads you win, and tails I win.” That is a much simpler way to resolve a conflict than to just continue down the road of arguing and quarreling over something. It does not really matter who wins. What matters is that the arguing stops.

The Bible says in Proverbs 18:19, “A brother offended is harder to be won that a strong city; and their contentions are like the bar of a castle.” Just because you have a good relationship today does not mean that you will always have that good relationship. Be as polite as you can be to those dearest to you. Once they are offended, it might be very difficult to win them back.

The Bible says in Proverbs 18:20, “A man’s belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled.” Your ability to say the right words in the right way is going to affect every aspect of your life. This verse is talking about something very practical in life: eating. And so it refers to you making your livelihood in this world. You need to know how to talk. Your job interview will involve talking. Your work will almost always involve talking: talking to those in charge, talking to co-workers, and talking to customers. Your ability to say what needs to be said in each situation that you will face will determine how successful you are.

The next verse is also about the value of saying the right things at the right time, and the bad result of not doing so. The previous verse was talking about your practical needs in this life. This verse is talking about life itself. The Bible says in Proverbs 18:21, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.” That is especially true regarding spiritual life and spiritual death. In order to go from death to life, you must say the right words. Of course, you must say the words with a change in your heart. It says in Romans 10:13, “Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Use your mouth and your heart correctly, and call upon the name of Jesus. Jesus will give you eternal life.

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